STEAM Afterschool Activity Specialist – COMPASS (Part-Time)

Sunnyside Community Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Sunnyside Community Services seeks a responsible STEAM Activity Specialist to lead engaging, hands-on STEAM lessons for students in grades K-8 residing in a family shelter in Jamaica, Queens. You will design age-appropriate activities that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.

Responsibilities include supervising participants, preparing materials, delivering STEAM programming, and collaborating with the Program Director.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Available Monday – Friday during program hours (3 – 6 pm).
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or 18+ STEAM credits with proof of expertise/experience.
• Experience with teaching STEAM and a minimum of two years’ experience in an afterschool environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Position begins in September after clearances; afterschool staff commit to end of school year.
• All candidates will go through NYC Public Schools clearance process.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a group of participants with the Group Leader and ensure safety.
• Prepare materials and examples in advance for student understanding.
• Design and deliver STEAM and leadership-focused educational programming for youth in grades K–8.
• Use a variety of instructional methods to meet diverse learning styles.
• Introduce fundamental STEAM concepts and engineering challenges.
• Plan and facilitate age-appropriate STEAM activities emphasizing teamwork, problem-solving, creativity.
• Develop hands-on experiences promoting collaboration and growth.
• Create opportunities to explore local and global issues through real-world learning.
• Lead STEAM activities including arts-based projects (music, drama, poetry, visual arts).
• Facilitate coding, robotics, engineering challenges, math enrichment, chess and other tech-based activities.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and Content Specialist on initiatives and requirements.
• Complete additional tasks as necessary.

Skills

STEAM instruction

Curriculum design

Youth education

Classroom management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

18+ STEAM credits

Tools

Coding

Robotics

Math enrichment

Job description

We are looking for a responsible, enthusiastic, and team-oriented STEAM Activity Specialist to lead engaging, hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lessons for students in grades K-8 residing in a family shelter. The ideal candidate has a passion for teaching young minds, enjoys working with kids, and can create a positive, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating learning environment. This role involves designing and delivering age‑appropriate STEAM activities that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.

This position will be a part of our Youth and Family Services offered at Sunnyside Community Services, which includes a pre‑kindergarten program, after‑school programs for elementary and middle school students, high school job readiness, career readiness, and enrichment programming and Adult and Immigrant Services.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a group of participants along with the Group Leader and provide for the safety and well‑being of participants.
• Prepare materials and examples in advance for student understanding during activities.
• Design and deliver STEAM and leadership‑focused educational programming for youth tailored to students in grades K–8.
• Use a variety of instructional methods to meet the diverse learning styles of students.
• Introduce fundamental STEAM concepts and engineering challenges.
• Plan and facilitate engaging, age‑appropriate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities that promote teamwork, problem‑solving, critical thinking, creativity, and foundational academic skills.
• Develop and implement hands‑on learning experiences that encourage collaboration, innovation, and the social, emotional, and academic growth of participants.
• Create opportunities for participants to explore, learn about, and engage in discussions related to local and global issues through meaningful, real‑world learning experiences.
• Design and lead a variety of STEAM activities, including arts‑based projects such as music, drama, poetry, creative writing, drawing, painting, and other visual and performing arts.
• Facilitate STEM‑focused activities such as coding, robotics, engineering challenges, science experiments, mathematics enrichment, chess, strategic games, and other technology‑based learning experiences.
• Work collaboratively with the Program Director and Content Specialist on program initiatives and requirements.
• Complete additional tasks as necessary.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Must be available Monday – Friday during program hours (3 – 6 pm).
• Ability to work during school breaks to conduct camp activities.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or have 18 or more education/STEAM related credits (should have proof of expertise/experience in related area). Example of desired areas of knowledge – science, coding, digital media, arts-related work (visual, performing, literacy arts), math.
• Experience with teaching STEAM and a minimum of two years’ experience in an afterschool environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• This position begins in September after clearances are completed. Afterschool staff are expected to be committed to the position until the end of the school year in June.
• All candidates will go through the New York City Public Schools clearance process and complete a variety of mandated training prior to beginning work with youth.

Hourly rate: $22.00 – $25.00

Hours: Monday – Friday 2 – 6 pm (Schedules may vary)

Location: COMPASS Belt After‑School Program at Samaritan Village Family Residence in Jamaica, Queens

All positions at Sunnyside Community Services are filled without regard to race/color, religion/creed, national origin, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, pregnancy‑related condition or lactation, military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, sexual or reproductive health decisions, height, weight, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/ sex offenses, predisposing genetic characteristic, immigration or citizenship status, prior arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, unemployment status, pre‑employment marijuana testing, union affiliation/activity, or for reporting or opposing discrimination on these bases or for reporting or opposing violations of workplace health and safety, pay equity or practices, or for participating in any internal or any legally protected status listed in the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL).

All are encouraged to apply.

Sunnyside Community Services strives to address, explore, and educate all our stakeholders about the diversity of human experience and to advance and integrate racial equity and social justice into all organizational policies and programs.

We believe that everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the organization, should feel equally involved and supported.

Sunnyside Community Services represents a commitment to considering the whole person and how systemic barriers and access to opportunities can affect their well‑being.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer